Dr. Jon J. Born, PhD
May 22, 2013
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Service Details
Dr. Jon J. Born, PhD, 69, died May 22, 2013. Services will be held Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. with the service at 11 a.m. Family will greet friends following the service as well. Burial will be at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, IA at 2:00 p.m. with full military honors.
Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Retired), Jon was educated in the Story City Community School District. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University (1966) and his Master of Arts degree from the University of Iowa (1971). In 2006, Jon earned his Doctorate degree.
Jon served almost 30 years in the military, rising in the enlisted ranks to the rank of Sergeant before obtaining a Warrant Officer appointment (1983). In 1968, Jon was exposed to the toxic defoliant Agent Orange and ultimately succumbed to its effects. Jon was placed on the retired rolls of the Iowa Army National Guard as a Chief Warrant Officer 5 effective May 24, 2003.
His military education included the Warrant Officer Basic Course, the Warrant Officer Advanced Course, the Warrant Officer Senior Course and the Warrant Officer Senior Staff Course. He also completed the Battle Focused Instructor Certification Course.
Jon spent his civilian life serving at municipal and state government levels. In 2003 Jon retired from the Iowa State Patrol as a civilian Executive Officer. Before and after retirement, he was deployed with FEMA to support disaster recovery efforts in Iowa and Florida.
Jon was preceded in death by his parents and sister. He is survived by his daughter, Kirstin Born; granddaughter, Brynna Bargfield; his son, Adam Born; his companion, Sue Walton; and one brother.
Jon will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, and companion as well as devoted public servant. He believed that every man is born as several men and dies as a single one. Jon hopes that he will be remembered as a good man.
Memorial contributions can be directed to the Military Officers Association of America, Iowa Chapter at Camp Dodge, Johnston, IA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Ronnie
05/29/2013
Dear Born Family, I was so sorry to read about the loss of your dear love one Dr. Jon. My sincere condolences to you all during this difficult time. May you find comfort in knowing that Jehovah the God of all comfort can give you the strength to get from one day to the next. - 1Corinthians 1:3,4
Mona Berck Fierro
05/26/2013
When I saw the number coming through on my phone May 22 from Iowa, I had the feeling it wasn't good news. I've kept in touch with Jon, on and off all of our lives, since he was my first love at 15 years old. Having never met Kirsten, I felt the warmth and deep feelings when she informed me of Jon's passing. Am thankful that she let me know, as I had a birthday card for Jon, having bought it a month before. It is a card I thought he would chuckle at, but now, it's really not appropriate. Here's what it says, In car years you would be considered a Classic, In wine years, you would be considered smooth, and in dog years, well, you'd be dead. Then I said Well, You're Not, so Have a Happy Birthday and Stay Alive. I'm so sorry to all of his family of his passing, but I know that he suffered much and is in Heaven. He said at one time, he was a heathen and I talked to him about how he was a Godly person before and needed God. Am so glad that he repented and turned his life around before his passing. He did so much in his life that was meaningful, serving in the army; he was glad to have received his PHD and be called Dr. That's great that he helped people through FEMA; what a hard worker he was and loved his two children so much and life. God bless his soul and his family. He will be remembered as an honorable man, and I will remember the love we had as young teenagers. That truly was puppy love.
Greg Imerman
05/26/2013
It was a pleasure serving with Jon in the 394th Ordnance Battalion in Ames. A great Soldier and a great man.
Chuck Semler
05/26/2013
I was sorry to see in the paper that Jon had passed away. It made me remember times that we had together as Boy Scouts especially a 25 mile bike ride to Ames which included 2 hours of swimming at Carr's pool. We were very tired when it was all over. Also the time we went with his dad to help deliver some pigs. Those were good times. I lost track of Jon but see by the article that just like a good scout he did a lot with his life.
Robert D.
05/25/2013
I've only known Jon for just over 1 year. Yet, I considered him a true friend.
He was as insightful, as he was compassionate. I will not only miss the sharing, also, the caring.
And, with out any doubt, "He was a very good man!"
Dewey Jontz ,Iowa State Patrol (Retired)
05/25/2013
Jon and I worked together at Iowa State Patrol Hq.He was a very talented individual who you could trust to get the job done. He was a friend and will be missed.
Laurie Spiegeler
05/25/2013
My co-worker Tracy and I had the pleasure of seeing Jon every other Tuesday morning when we came to clean his home. Having been his housekeepers for more than a year we got to know Jon and his long debilitating history with Agent Orange. It was unimaginable everything he had been through; the countless surgeries, doctors, therapies, the physical and emotional toll that grew heavy on him. Despite all of the odds Jon always seemed hopeful and thankful for each and every day. He always greeted us at the door with a smile and took an interest in what was going on in our lives. He loved to talk about government and politics and was very articulate in the way he spoke. He was passionate about law enforcement and talked of his family often. He also adored his cat Simon and had a love of animals and nature.
On Tuesday May, 21st just the day before he passed he had talked about his plans for the Memorial Day weekend and that he was turning 70 on Friday. I wished him a happy early birthday and we talked for a few minutes. Friday was also the day I learned of his passing. He was a good person and I will miss him deeply. My deepest condolences and sympathy to Kirstin, Brynna, Adam, Sue, Don and the Born family. May God guide you and keep you through this very difficult time.
Gary Selof
05/24/2013
I met Jon through the Military Officers Association of America, Iowa Chapter. I liked to talk with him. He was very intelligent and easy to visit with. I looked forward to seeing him each time we met. I would occassionally see him on Camp Dodge. He was a good man. I am sorry for your loss.
LTC John Brodie
05/23/2013
My condolences to Sue, Kirstin and Adam. Jon Born and I met back in 1988 when I was a 2LT. He was a Great Mentor, Leader and Friend. Although we met through the Army both of us also worked in the Law Enforcement community but in different States. We kept in touch every year with at least one call per year, he will be missed tremendously. I know words cannot ever bring him back but remember this; he will be with our Lord as one of the Great Peace Makers of our world. Sue I know we have never met in the 25 years that I have known Born but, you and the family are always welcomed in Texas. Again, Sorry for your loss of a GREAT Companion, Father, Grand Father and Hero. Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Ret) Jon J. Born, thank you Sir for serving your Country with Distinction, and Honor, you made it better for the rest of us to follow. You will be missed old Friend.
Gary Teter
05/23/2013
In the few years I became acquainted with Jon, he became a good friend. We've stayed in touch since meeting. He's going to be missed. My condolences to Sue and his family, whom he was always proud of.
Kari & JimSaunders
05/23/2013
I am so sorry for your loss. Jim & I worked with Jon before he retired. He was a kind and gentle man.
I briefly spoke with him a couple of years ago and he had been diagnosed at that time.
We will keep you and your family in our prayers.